kennyd63
Minooka, Illinois
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Joined: 03/27/2012
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I have a 2009 ford F150 4x4.
My question is what is the purpose of this button that says tow/haul that is located in my shift handle? some people tell me I need to make sure it lights up when you are towing your trailer or hauling.But at the same time they tell me that My MPG will decrease drasticly. Is this true? And if I dont use it tow my TT I could damage the transmision?
2005 National Sea Breeze LX 8321
2010 Forest River Salem 403FB-Destination Trailer
2009 F150 4X4 Crew Cab
2006 HD Heritage Softtail
1999 Sweetwater Challenger 30hp (Pontoon)
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blangen
South Dakota... and everywhere.
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Joined: 04/21/2011
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Short answer: It changes the shift points slightly to keep it from "hunting" gears when under load. I've noticed it makes a considerable difference when going up hills. Additionally, it makes use of the trans braking when going down the hill.
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canoe on top
Denver, CO, US
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Joined: 07/21/2003
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The tow/haul function changes the computer programed shift points and locks your torque converter sooner. The transmission will, usually shift at higher rpms and tend to stay in gear longer before downshifting. It shouldn't affect your mileage adversely but, it should prolong the life of your transmission by eliminating a lot of down shifting and up shifting which tends to generate heat.
Modern transmissions are controled electronically and, the ECM or engine control module monitors rpms, torque, coolant temp and, a whole bunch of things that we used to guess at.
The engineers that designed your truck also designed the program for the tow/haul mode. If you are towing or hauling a heavy load, use it, that is what it was designed for.
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SWD
Land of Living Skies
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Joined: 06/07/2005
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canoe on top wrote:The tow/haul function changes the computer programed shift points and locks your torque converter sooner. The transmission will, usually shift at higher rpms and tend to stay in gear longer before downshifting. It shouldn't affect your mileage adversely but, it should prolong the life of your transmission by eliminating a lot of down shifting and up shifting which tends to generate heat.
Modern transmissions are controled electronically and, the ECM or engine control module monitors rpms, torque, coolant temp and, a whole bunch of things that we used to guess at.
The engineers that designed your truck also designed the program for the tow/haul mode. If you are towing or hauling a heavy load, use it, that is what it was designed for.
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eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
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Hooking the trailer to your truck will reduce your mpg drastically. 
Use Tow Haul and have a better experience.
2009 Keystone Passport UL 290BH
2003 Ford Expedition EB 5.4L/3.73
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Bucky Badger
Madison, WI
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Joined: 11/05/2007
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eric james wrote:Hooking the trailer to your truck will reduce your mpg drastically.
.
Got that right
Fred & Jodie, dogs, Zoey & Mika
RIP Bella
2010 F150 5.4, 3.55, 4x4, Equli-z-er Hitch
2007 Forest River Salem 27RB LE
and
2009 Nomad 3980
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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I use mine even when not towing.....great for in town driving.
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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look at your owners manual. it should have a lengthy article on tow/haul, when to use it, what it does etc.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Read your owners manual and use it!
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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hitnderoad
Twin Cities metro, Mn.
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Joined: 01/12/2011
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eric james wrote:Hooking the trailer to your truck will reduce your mpg drastically.
Use Tow Haul and have a better experience.
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